Megan Cope Awarded the Inaugural Helen O’Sullivan Artist Fellowship

Sheila is thrilled to announce that Quandamooka artist Megan Cope has been awarded the inaugural Helen O’Sullivan Artist Fellowship. The $25,000 Fellowship will allow Megan to develop an ambitious new project, Tides that Bind, for a solo exhibition at Gertrude Contemporary, Naarm Melbourne in August 2027.

Tides that Bind looks to the waterways of the Kulin Nation, and specifically the native flat oyster reefs of Port Phillip Bay. Working with local marine ecological groups, Megan will invite the public into a series of collaborative workshops, guided by Aboriginal modes of ecological and custodial ethics.

On receiving the Fellowship, Megan said, ‘I’m honoured to join the amazing group of women artists who have been supported by the Sheila Foundation and build upon the legacies of women artists who have carved out a space for us in the industry.’

The Fellowship is made possible by Helen O’Sullivan, a retired judge of the Queensland District Court and a founding member of the Women’s Legal Service. Helen has collected art for 40 years and was inspired by Sheila Cruthers’ example to support today’s women artists and shine a light on those of the past.

Read the full media release here, or find out more about the Helen O’Sullivan Artist Fellowship here.

Image: Megan Cope, photographer: Mick Richards. Image courtesy of the artist.

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